Uncontrollable Bachelor (Bachelor Tower Series), стр. 20
“How about if I have you both over for dinner?” Betsy suggested.
“How about you get your butt back to work so Mr. Grumpy Pants doesn’t fire you,” I warned.
She sighed. “He wouldn’t be able to function without me. I’m like a watchdog. If I’m not here, people would disturb him all day. I make it my business that no one makes it to that office without going through me first.”
“You’re not what I’d call…intimidating.”
“Get on my bad side and you’ll see,” she warned. “Now, back to last night.”
“It was nice. We used to go out for ice cream all the time when we were dating before.”
“Did it rekindle the old flame? And by that I mean, did he kiss you?” she asked.
Every single inch of me. It was nice to know Jace didn’t kiss and tell. Neither did I. But Betsy wasn’t going to quit until she had something to occupy her thoughts. “Who doesn’t give a peck on the cheek when saying goodnight?”
“That’s it?” I heard her sigh. “I stayed up all night and that’s all you two did? Maybe I should fix you up with his friend. He’s pretty hot, too. Not sure if you know him. His name is Carlton.”
“I don’t know his friends. Remember, we’ve been out of touch for a long time.” There was so much I didn’t know about his life. Did it matter? Since we don’t have a future together, why bother talking about the past? “But if you even try to set me up with another man, I’m going to kill you. This has been…awkward. And I’m sure there’s some HR policy about messing with your boss’s love life. I wouldn’t want to see either of you get in trouble.”
“I’m not at risk of losing my job.”
“And how about Jace? You might not turn him into HR for being so grumpy at work, but maybe one of his coworkers will.” It was something that concerned me. What I didn’t understand was why he was so upset in the first place. Granted, we didn’t get much sleep, but he had a smile on his face when I saw him last.
“I don’t think he’s going to fire himself, either.”
“What do you mean, fire himself?”
“He’s the boss,” she said.
“I know. You work for him. But I’m talking about his boss,” I explained.
She laughed. “Guess that would be the IRS because Mr. Goldstein is the owner.”
My mouth fell open. I knew he was doing well for himself, but he ran his own business? What happened to the guy who wanted to live in a log cabin? “I…I didn’t know. And surprisingly, you failed to mention it before now. Is there anything else you want to share with me?”
Betsy giggled. “I’d love to, but I’m at work and I don’t want to get fired for screwing off on company time. Maybe we can discuss it when you two come for dinner tonight?”
“Good try, Betsy, but the answer is still no.” My phone beeped and I knew another call was coming in. It was work. I didn’t want to answer, but I had to. “I’ve got to go. I have another call. We can talk later.”
“Yes, at dinner,” she teased before ending the call.
Damn you, Betsy. You don’t give up. That didn’t mean Betsy was getting her way. Not where Jace and me are concerned. Especially with what I just learned.
Forcing thoughts of Jace out of my mind, I picked up the other call.
“Hello, this is Dr. Hamel.”
“Hi. This is Grace. I’m calling with an update on your next assignment.”
I knew the call would come, but I was hoping for a few more weeks with Jace. One night with him didn’t curb my appetite. If anything, it fanned the flames of my desire.
“When will I be leaving?” I asked, holding my breath for the dreaded news.
“There’s been an issue with our documentation. It might be longer than we anticipated. Instead of another three weeks, it now looks more like six. Hope this doesn’t cause any issues for you.”
I was elated with the news, but didn’t want to sound as though I wasn’t prepared to return to work. “Not at all. Just let me know when things have been sorted out. Thank you so much for notifying me, Grace.”
When the call ended, I placed the phone on the stand beside the tub again. The water was beginning to cool, but I wasn’t ready to get out. I was finally relaxed enough to start enjoying it. I turned the water on hot and leaned back. Only two things were missing, a glass of wine and Jace.
The next hotel needs a Jacuzzi.
Chapter 8
Jace
After last night, I absolutely expected a call from Carlton, but waiting for me in my own office was too fucking much. I was trying to respect the fact that he was doing his job, but he was interfering with my plans.
“I think you’re forgetting who her father is, Jace. Mr. Hamel was not happy to hear she was at a hotel. And less than pleased when I told him I didn’t know with who,” Carlton stated. “You could’ve gotten me and my team fired.”
“Not telling Ralph she was with me was your choice. I personally don’t give a fuck if he knows.” I felt a twist in my gut. Shannon might not feel the same.
“My text message this morning confirms he does. Since I didn’t tell him, I assume Shannon did. He was adamant that he would not leave the house until she returned home. I’m sure it was an unpleasant conversation.”
“You think? Ralph can be one tough bastard.” I felt like shit for just dropping her off and letting her go in to face that asshole alone. Then again, he wouldn’t have liked to hear anything I had to say to him.
“This isn’t about